Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-01-21


"Jest to see for myself if / amt cooked done
that's ALL"
a roar of laughter went up, i'll which even
Dr. Denslow, who had just entered the ward,
joined. He ordered the blister to be taken
of and the lutlamed urfaCes properly dressed,
which was done to the accompaniment of
Joes a5onizing groans.
Il think Lieut.. Pancake will be content to
go back to the field in few days if we CON
time this vigorous treatment" Dr. Denslow
said little later, us he came into the reading
room Of the hospital. where he found Rachel
sitting alone
"Oh, doctor, how could you he 50 cruel!'
she asked in tones which were meant to be re-
proachful, but only poorly disguised her
mirthful appreciation of the whole matter.
81 wasn't cruel; | only did my duty. The
fellows palpable malingerer, and his being
an officer makes it ever so much worse Hes
trying to shirk duty and have a good time
here i'll the hospital. It's my place to make
the hospital 50 unpleasant for him that he
will think the field preferable, and I'm going
to do it, especially if l find him squeezing
your hand again
There was that in the tone of the last
sentence which sobered her instantly. Wo-
manly preSCicnce told her that the surgeon
had discovered what seemed to him a fitting
opportunity to say that which he had LONG
desired. Ever since she had been in the hos
pital he had eSertel himself to smooth her
path for her, and make her stay there en-
durabic. There was not a day in which she
was not indebted to him for some unohtrusive
kindness, delicately and thoughtfully rem
dered.
While she knew quite well that these cour-
teses would have been as consciontiously cx-
tended to any other woman-young or old
i'll her position, yet her instincts did not allow
her any doubt that there was about them a
flavor personal to herself and redolent of
something much warmer than mere kndli-
ness. a knowledge of this had at times
tainted the pleasure she felt in accepting wei
come little attentions from him. She dreaded
what she knew was coming. He took her
hand ana started to speak with tremulous
lips. But almost at the same instant the door
was flung open, and nurse entered in breath
less haste.
80, doctor, he gasped, I've been looking
for You everywhere. That lieutenant in the
First ward thinks he's a-dyin'. He's groanin'
an cryin', and atakin on at terrible rate.
an nobody can't do nOthin' with him. lhe
steward wants you to come there right Off"
Its only the castor OIL muttcred the
doctor sayagely, as he rose to follow the
nurse.
This was the letter that the orderly handed
Rachel some days later
DEAR RATE Your letter came at last, for which
was SO thankful, because | had waited SO long
for 1t that was 50 tired and anxious that /
was almost at my wits end. | am so glad that
you are we'll that you have got your room at last
fixed up real nice and comfortable, as young
lady should have, and that you find your duties
more agrreahl, 1t is So nice in that DR. Drnslow
to help you along rs be does But then that is
what every real gentleman should do for young
lady-or old one for that matter. STILL would
like TO thank him SO much.
l am not AT all well; my heart gives me SO much
trouble-Inorc than ever beforehand as yOu say
nothing about coming home / have about con
cluded to try what a change of climate and scene
will do for me, and so have concluded 10 accept
your Aunt Tahthas invitation to spend few
months with her Unless you hear from me to
the contrary which you VIII probably u,t MS IA.
mails are so ulivcuaiu in Kentucky You had bat
ter addr IS yo.rncNt letter 70 me AT Fam Claire
But am $50 sorry Ia src hy Nuur ltt.rtuat Vol.
show no signs Of WEAKNESS with Your quiyuti,
idea OF seril.s lnr country in th' l.....,. D. I...
hoped so mu'' t'at you would nv his t'ms har.